Seeing the vilest of Jewish society coming to Christ, the enemies of our Lord muttered "This man receiveth sinners." What they meant as an insult in these words was in reality the highest tribute to the Lord and the greatest message to every one of us. Erdmann Neumeister wrote in 1718 the words to a hymn that echoes this glorious and eternal truth.

2. Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. As a result man by nature is sinful and is separated from God.

3. Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

B. Good works will not provide access to or acceptance by God

1. Access to God cannot be attained through ministers, priests, Mary, angels, reformation, church membership, sincerity, good works or tears.

2. Isaiah 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

3. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by his grace that we have been saved through faith, and this faith was not from you, but it is the gift of God, Not of works, lest anyone should boast."

4. Romans 5:1, 2 "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access"

5. Our legal right to approach unto God is found alone in the merits of Christ - C Arthur Pink, Access to God

C. Christ desires all men to come to Him

1. 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

2. 1 Timothy 2:3-6 "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

3. Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

4. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,

To every believer, the promise of God;

The vilest offender who truly believes,

That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.- Fanny Crosby, To God be the Glory